The Bella Vista City Council met for a nine-minute work session Monday, June 18.
The four items up for discussion included allowing playground equipment in front yards in some cases, creating a tree advisory board, accepting the resignation of council member Brian Bahr and appointing council member John Flynn to Bahr's vacant seat on the advertising and promotion commission.
"We have a light agenda this month," Mayor Peter Christie said.
Brian Bahr's resignation was announced May 22, shortly after the May council meeting. According to a press release issued by the city, Bahr is currently an active duty member of the Arkansas National Guard and will be unable to regularly attend council meetings while carrying out commitments with the Guard.
In addition to accepting the resignation, this resolution declares a vacancy, which city staff attorney Jason Kelley said must be filled by law.
Candidates are required to be at least 18 years old, a legal U.S. citizen and an Arkansas resident. They must be registered to vote and must have never been convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, forgery or any other infamous crime.
The city has requested that applicants send a letter of interest and a resume to Mayor Peter Christie at [email protected], or mail or hand deliver the documents to City Hall, 101 Town Center P.O. Box 5655, Bella Vista AR 72714.
The deadline for applications is July 5.
Christie said it's worth noting that whoever is selected may also run for the council seat in this year's election.
With Bahr unavailable, council member John Flynn said he is willing to take his position on the city's advertising and promotion commission. The council will vote on placing Flynn in that seat at the Monday, June 25, regular session as well.
The proposed city code amendment to permit playground equipment in front yards, provided there is nowhere else to place it, will go to its third and final reading at the Monday, June 25, regular meeting. This has been a contentious topic at previous council meetings.
Council member Linda Lloyd previously stated this proposal was the result of a discussion with residents who learned their swing set, which cannot be placed in the backyard, was in violation of city code in the front yard.
At the work session, Lloyd said she was not sure if the item will be tabled or voted down.
Council member Doug Fowler previously stated that he was concerned that any requirements that the playground equipment only be placed in the front yard if there is nowhere else for it could be difficult to enforce, and that neighbors may be unhappy to see it either way.
General News on 06/20/2018